Eric Bischoff Says TNA Is ‘One Step Closer to the Grave’ Amid Layoffs and Creative Shake-Up

Eric Bischoff isn’t mincing words about TNA Wrestling’s future. On a recent episode of his 83 Weeks podcast, the WWE Hall of Famer declared that the promotion is “one step closer to the grave,” pointing to a string of troubling developments that have hit TNA in quick succession.

Bischoff cited workforce reductions, a wave of talent departures, and the exit of Tommy Dreamer from his role as creative head as the key factors driving his bleak assessment. The combination of losing bodies behind the scenes and in front of the camera paints a picture of an organization under serious strain. Notably, Bischoff had apparently flagged concerns about TNA’s trajectory as far back as July 2025, suggesting this isn’t a sudden change of opinion but rather a view that has only hardened as events have unfolded.

The comments carry a certain weight coming from Bischoff. As the man who built WCW into a legitimate rival to WWE in the late 1990s — and who later watched it collapse — he has a firsthand understanding of how quickly momentum can drain from a wrestling promotion once key pieces start falling away. TNA, which has reinvested in its original branding after years operating as Impact Wrestling, has been working to carve out a meaningful spot in today’s crowded market. Whether the current turbulence is a rough patch or something more serious remains to be seen, but Bischoff clearly believes the warning signs are too significant to dismiss.